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The Brampton Public Library Board has announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer, Adele Kostiak effective July 31, 2010

Adele joined the Library in September 2001 and has been passionate in her commitment to provide exemplary library services to the citizens of Brampton. Her commitment to public library services was recently recognized by the Ontario Library Association at its annual conference in Toronto. At that time, Adele received the W. J. Robertson Medallion for Public Librarian of the Year.

It should be noted that under Adele’s leadership, Brampton Library has successfully completed three strategic plans emphasizing the Library in the community. Brampton Library is now noted in the public library community for its innovative approach to increasing computer access to the internet through in-house laptop loans; for its floating collection that shortens wait times for material held across the Brampton system of libraries and for its unique and successful approach to the One Book One City literacy initiative.

The Library has focused its efforts on connecting with the community through a concerted and targeted effort at outreach. Library staff is engaged with newcomers and the diverse population of Brampton as well as youth. The Library has developed a host of partnerships including the Brampton Arts Council, Brampton and Area Community Foundation and its most important partner the City of Brampton.

Adele is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she earned a Master Degree in Library Science. She began her career in 1976 working for Etobicoke Public Library and then Toronto Public Library. She moved to Vaughan Public Library in 1981 where she began as Children’s Services Coordinator culminating in the position of Deputy Chief Librarian in 1994. Adele became the Director of Library Services at Barrie Public Library where she built a 42,000 square foot new library with a successful fundraising campaign by raising $1.2 million for the building.

Adele is a member of the Ontario Library Association, Canadian Library Association and the Canadian Association of Public Libraries. She has served as a Board member of the Brampton and Area Community Foundation, Board member of the Brampton Arts Council as well as treasurer of the Brampton Arts Council and a partner in the Cultural Planning process of the City of Brampton. Adele was winner of the first Innovative Librarian Award for a Youth Fair.